Psalm 151

 

Introduction 

To the traditional Hebrew Psalter, the Septuagint (LXX) adds Psalm 
one hundred and fifty one, with a superscript describing it as "outside 
the number" (i.e., of the 150 Psalms); this is the basis of the NRSV 
translation. It is found in the fourth-century CE Greek Codex Sinaiticus 
with a different superscription and in the sixth-century Codex 
Alexandrius (with a superscription, "The 151 Psalms of David"). In 
Syriac, Psalm151 is is the first of a series of psalms (Ps 151-155) about 
the heroic exploits of David in 1 Sam 16-17. 

Besides these hundred and fifty Psalms, there is one additional in the 
Syriac, Septuagint, Ethiopic, Armenian, and Arabic. A Hebrew version 
of psalm is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls (11 QPs). This Hebrew 
version is made up of two distinct psalms: Ps 151A (=LXX Ps 151) is a 
poem based on 1 Sam 16.1-13, about David the shepherd becoming 
Israel's king, with a superscription; this psalm is truncated in the Greek 
and Syriac versions. Ps 151B is the fragmentary beginning of another 
psalm, also with a superscription, that must have followed Ps 151A in 
the original scroll; it apparently deals with David's contest with Goliath 
(1 Sam 17), a story that is also the subject of LXX Ps 151.6-7. 

In form, Ps 151A is not a hymn or a petition, but a narrative (cf. Ps 78), 
an autobiographical poem in which David, the youngest of his brothers, 
speaks of his shepherding care for his father's flocks, of his psalms 
praising God, and of his anointment as Israel's king. The superscription 
of the Hebrew poem ("A Hallelujah of David the son of Jesse") is 
similar to the superscriptions of Ps 145 ("Praise. Of David") and the 
introductory "Hallelujah" of Ps 111-113, 146-150, and thus serves to 
integrate this psalm into the end of Psalms. 

  

 

 

 

Psalm 151 

This psalm is ascribed to David as his own composition (though it is 
outside the number), after he had fought in single combat with Goliath. 

1 I was small among my brothers, and the youngest in my father¶s 
house; I tended my father¶s sheep. 

2 My hands made a harp; my fingers fashioned a lyre. 

3 And who will tell my Lord? 

The Lord himself; it is he who hears. 

4 It was he who sent his messenger and took me from my father¶s 
sheep, and anointed me with his anointing oil. 

5 My brothers were handsome and tall, but the Lord was not pleased 
with them. 

6 I went out to meet the Philistine, and he cursed me by his idols. 

7 But I drew his own sword; I beheaded him, and took away disgrace 
from the people of Israel. 

 

Other translations:  

A) I was the smallest among my brothers, and the youngest in my father¶s 
household. I used to take care of my father¶s sheep. 2 My hands constructed 
a musical instrument; my fingers tuned a harp. 3 Who will announce this to 
my Lord? The Lord himself²he is listening. 4 He himself sent his 
messenger and took me from my father¶s sheep, and anointed me with his 
anointing oil. 5 My brothers were handsome and big, but the Lord did not 
approve of them. David¶s Victory over Goliath 6 I went out to meet the 
foreigner; he called down curses on me by his idols. 7 But I pulled out his 

own sword; I beheaded him and thereby removed reproach from the 
Israelites. I WAS the least among my brethren; and the youngest in my 
father's house; and I kept also my father's sheep. My hands made the organ; 
and my fingers joined the psaltery.3 And who told it to my LORD? [Arab.: 
And who is he who taught me?] The LORD himself, he is my Master, and 
the Hearer of all that call upon him. He sent his angel, and took me away 
from my father's sheep; and anointed me with the oil of his anointing. 
[Others, the oil of his mercy.] 5 My brethren were taller and more beautiful 
than I; nevertheless the LORD delighted not in them.I went out to meet the 
Philistine, and he cursed me by his idols. [Arab.: IN the strength of the 
LORD I cast three stones at him. I smote him in the forehead, and felled him 
to the earth.] 8 And I drew out his own sword from its sheath, and cut off his 
head, and took away the reproach from the children of Israel.  

B) 1. Smaller was I than my brothers and the youngest of the sons of my 
father, So he made me shepherd of his flock and ruler over his kids; 2. My 
hands have made an instrument and my fingers a lyre; And (so) have I 
rendered glory to the Lord, thought I within my soul 3. The mountains do 
not witness to him, nor do the hills proclaim; The trees have cherished my 
words and the flock my works. 4. For who can proclaim and who can 
bespeak and who can recount the deeds of the Lord? Everything has God 
seen everything has he heard and he has heeded. 5. He sent his prophet to 
anoint me; Samuel to make me great; My brothers went out to meet him 
handsome of figure and appearance. 6. Though they were tall of stature and 
handsome by their hair, The Lord God chose them not 7. But he sent and 
took me from behind the flock and anointed me with holy oil, And he made 
me leader of his people and ruler over the sons of his covenant.  

Also known as: Apocrypha 151 Additional Psalm 1 1 5 1 551 115 151 
Septuagint Saptuagint Septwagint Septuagent Septuajint Septugint 
Apocryphal Apocryfal Apocryfa Abocryphal Abocryfal Abocryfa bsalm 
bsalms psalms deuteronaonical books